Guerlain Shalimar (Vintage)
4.6
Overall
Accords
vanilla
citrus
floral
powdery
amber
oriental
sweet
woody
Notes Pyramid
Top
BergamotFloral NotesLemonFloral notes
Heart
IrisRoseJasmine
Base
VanillaTonka BeanEthylvanillinTonka beanBenzoinSandalwoodLeatherMuskIncenseAmber
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ A timeless masterpiece, opulent vanilla and elegant oriental depth.
- ✅ Beautiful, luxurious, perfect for cold nights and winter evenings.
- ✅ The vanilla, powdery iris and warm amber create a comforting, sophisticated aura.
- ✅ Opulent vanilla and amber create a timeless, luxurious aura.
- ✅ The floral heart is elegant and powdery, adding depth to the composition.
- ✅ Excellent longevity and sillage for an extrait concentration.
- ✅ Highly rated by the fragrance community (4.61/5).
- ✅ Described as a "glorious, head‑turning, spellbinding masterpiece of complexity and opulence" in its pure parfum form.
- ✅ The 1976 Eau de Toilette is praised for its “bright bergamot layered with boozy, smoky vanilla and dark musks” and long longevity.
- ✅ Fragrantica users rate it 4.61/5, noting its timeless elegance and luxurious vanilla‑forward dry‑down.
- ✅ Described as a "timeless classic" with an "opulent vanilla" that feels like a warm, comforting blanket.
- ✅ Many reviewers praise its elegant powdery‑floral heart and the richness of the vanilla‑tonka dry‑down.
- ✅ Considered a masterpiece of oriental perfumery, offering superb longevity and a sophisticated sillage.
- ❌ The opening can be sharp and citrus fades quickly, leaving a “grandma” impression.
- ❌ Some find the scent too heavy, animalic, or overwhelming for daily wear.
- ❌ Longevity may be limited to a few hours in newer formulations.
- ❌ The opening can be sharp and overly citrusy, fading quickly.
- ❌ Some users describe the scent as “grandma‑like” or too heavy for everyday wear.
- ❌ Longevity may drop after three hours for some wearers.
- ❌ The 1998 Eau de Toilette is called “flat, lifeless, and deeply uninteresting” with synthetic peppery and civet notes.
- ❌ Some reviewers find the opening overly sharp, with “synthetic pepperiness” and a harsh lemon/bergamot blast.
- ❌ A few users note that the modern formulation can feel “overly synthetic” and less potent than vintage extracts.
- ❌ The opening can be sharp or overly citrusy, with some users noting a "pungent" or "urine‑like" first impression.
- ❌ Several reviewers find the fragrance too heavy or reminiscent of an "old‑lady" scent, making it less wearable for everyday use.
- ❌ Longevity is sometimes reported as limited, especially in newer reformulations that feel more like an EDT.
